Oliver's Great Big Universe Volcanoes Are Hot! - Jorge Cham

 

Oliver is back in his second book.  After his best friend, Sven, barfs epically in the school canteen and Oliver slips and falls in it, the pair become known as the 'Epic Barf Kids'.  To counteract this, Oliver decides that he needs to find a way to take people's minds off the event.  With his first book having been a big success, he decides that writing a second book will be the key to success so sets about discovering everything he can about volcanoes.  But is the book good enough for him to win first prize and to ensure that everyone forgets that epic barfing incident?

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book that brilliantly combines laughs and science.  I really enjoyed the wealth of facts that Cham had managed to deftly weave into the book, all explained in a way that will be easy for readers to understand.  From facts about lava to continental drift; the layers of the Earth to different types of rocks - I think I may have even learned something new myself!  The illustrations compliment the book perfectly and enhance the understanding of the facts that are being explained ... and add to the humour too!

With messages about taking care of the planet, friendship and being kind, Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot is a book that will go down well in school and is perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Louis Stowell's Loki.  Great as part of the series, but also great to read as a stand alone, I really hope there will be more from Oliver.